The Peacock wrestling team, ranked #10 in the latest NWCA poll, dropped their final NSIC dual of the season to the #1 St. Cloud State University Huskies on Sunday in Fayette.  Upper Iowa only came out on top in two matches with the Huskies claiming the first seven matches, two by major decision, to build a 23-0 lead.  With the loss, UIU finished their regular season with an 11-4 record overall and a 6-2 mark in the conference.
 
St. Cloud State came on strong through the first four weights controlling the action at 125, 133, 141 and 149.  The visitors scored bonus points with major decisions at 133 and 149.  Upper Iowa sent Jordan Rinken (#4 NWCA) to the mat against Clint Poster (#1 NWCA) in the dual's highlighted match at 157.  Poster left the second period with a 1-0 lead, but Rinken had one minute of ride time.  The Peacock wrestler chose neutral looking for a takedown to win, but late in the period Poster found the takedown first and secured the 3-0 win. 
 
The late, third period takedown for St. Cloud State came repeated itself in the next two matches as the Huskies claimed a pair of 3-1 decisions with late takedowns.  Colbey Vance was the victim at 165 pounds, while Dalton Westerlund got caught with just two seconds to go in the 174-pound match.
 
Blake Sorensen (#5 NWCA) led the Peacocks to finally breaking through with a 6-0 controlled win at 184 pounds. The Peacock senior has won 12 of his 13 matches since the New Year began including nine straight and a perfect 8-0 record in the Northern Sun Conference.  His only loss came in a 7-4 decision to Garrett Linebarger (#1 NWCA) of Notre Dame College.
 
The Peacocks dropped a 6-1 decision at 197 pounds, but Logan Hopp helped the team close the dual on a high note with a 3-1 decision in sudden victory.  Hopp and Caleb White each had one escape during regulation; UIU's heavyweight locked in the win with a takedown near the edge of the circle midway through the first sudden victory period.

Prior to the match, Upper Iowa recognized their seven seniors including Josh Tyler, Brock Gobin, Duane Richardson, Trevor Duke, Anthony Hable, Chris Paulus and Blake Sorensen.
 
Upper Iowa will now have two weeks until they head to Mankato, Minn. for the NCAA Super Regional on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 and Mar. 1.  The top four wrestlers from each weight class at the regional event will earn a berth to the NCAA Division II Championships in St. Louis, Mo. on Friday and Saturday, Mar. 13-14.
 
#1 St. Cloud State 26 - #10 Upper Iowa  6

125: Tim Prescott (SCS) over Chris Paulus (UPIO) (Dec 7-2)
133: Mike Rhone (SCS) over Matt Paulus (UPIO) (MD 10-2)
141: Josh Howk (SCS) over Jordan Roths (UPIO) (Dec 7-3)
149: Larry Bomstad (SCS) over Trevor Duke (UPIO) (MD 14-6)
157: Clint Poster (SCS) over Jordan Rinken (UPIO) (Dec 3-0)
165: Gabe Fogarty (SCS) over Colbey Vance (UPIO) (Dec 3-1)
174: Clayton Jennissen (SCS) over Dalton Westerlund (UPIO) (Dec 3-1)
184: Blake Sorensen (UPIO) over Dylon Braun (SCS) (Dec 6-0)
197: VJ Giulio (SCS) over Brock Gobin (UPIO) (Dec 6-1)
285: Logan Hopp (UPIO) over Caleb White (SCS) (SV-1 3-1)